Style & Design
Originally published on Wednesday, 7th May 2008
A Good Buy
Who knew charity shops could be sexy? eBay's given us direct access to other people's junk, rendering obsolete those tie-dyed hippy middle-man establishments. Whole Foods took it further, marrying organics with clean modern interiors and plenty of chrome.
TRAID stocks fashion-friendly seconds and has the snooty staff to boot, and Notting Hill's Retro Woman has a surprisingly vast collection of vintage designer items that belie its tatty exterior. It was only a matter of time before that bastion of fustiness, Oxfam, followed suit.
Jane Shepherdson (Topshop's former brand director who left after the Kate Moss collaboration was finalised, miaow) is behind the revamp of the store's threadbare veneer. Three new boutique style setups will feature donated designer fashions
from Wright & Teague, sustainable brands like People Tree, and most excitingly, pieces by London College of Fashion students and big name grads who have reworked old clobber and textiles to create unique fashion finds.
If charity really does start at home, I'm setting up camp outside.
Oxfam - revamped fashion boutiques opening to public May 10
Click here to view the Re-Launch pictures
